After seven football games, we’re supposed to have a pretty good idea of how the Sooners stack up with the nation’s elite. But with injury problems running rampant, OU’s identity has become harder to find.

We know the team’s greatest strength: Sam Bradford. He has looked as good as any quarterback in the nation, and continues to be a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate.

We also know the team’s greatest weakness: special teams. Unfortunately, all facets of special teams have looked bad at some point.

The kickoff coverage has consistently struggled. The kick returners haven’t had much of an impact. Jimmy Stevens’ first real action came last week, and he didn’t look great.

But what about the rest of the team? Who will take Ryan Reynolds’ place? Can one of the running backs be a reliable contributor? Can the young secondary keep up with some of the Big 12’s more dangerous and athletic receivers?

All of those questions still need to be answered, which is why the next three weeks are just what the Sooners need.

OU’s next three opponents are Kansas State, Nebraska and Texas A&M. Kansas State has yet to show any consistency, Nebraska is a couple years from being a legitimate threat and Texas A&M has been just plain awful.

With so many questions still surrounding this team, the schedule works completely in OU’s favor.

Over the next three weeks, the coaching staff should be able to figure out the permanent replacement for Reynolds. I imagine it will be Austin Box, but maybe Box plays on the outside and Travis Lewis moves to the middle. Who knows? All I know is Nic Harris needs to be playing safety, not linebacker.

We should also get a better understanding of which DeMarco Murray we’re going to see for the rest of the year. Against Kansas, he finally showed the quick step he had last year. He clearly has incredible ability, but I think his problem this year has been low confidence.

Kansas State and Texas A&M have combined to allow nine 100-yard rushers this season, and their defenses should do wonders for Murray’s confidence.

Now, I’m not saying OU should make the mistake of looking past these opponents. Obviously, the Sooners need to take things one game at a time if they want to stay in the Big 12 race.

But the Sooners couldn’t ask for a better schedule. This is the easiest three-game stretch they’ve had (not counting the year’s first three games, since Chattanooga is a Division II school and Washington is playing like one).

After these three games, the schedule smiles on OU again with a bye week before playing Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. Depending on how things play out in the Big 12, those could be the two most important games of the year.

There cannot be any remaining questions about OU’s team — especially on defense — when Texas Tech and its potent passing game come to Norman Nov. 22. Maybe at that point, the Sooners will be back near the top of the national title chase.

Only time will tell.

— Corey DeMoss is the sports editor and a journalism senior.